There is no truth in claims that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has endorsed Lagos State Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat, or any other aspirant as flag bearer for the All Progressives Congress (APC) for next year’s governorship election in Lagos State.
The rebuttal follows widespread speculation triggered by a WhatsApp message circulated on social media alleging that the weekend meeting between Tinubu and leadership of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC) took that decision.
The unfounded claim was further fuelled by the open endorsement of Hamzat by federal lawmaker, James Faleke on his official X page.
The message, which was shared across several platforms early Friday, created the impression that an endorsement decision had been taken.
Investigations, however, indicate that no such endorsement was made.
Sources within the party explained that a photograph showing the President alongside Governance Advisory Council (GAC) leader Tajudeen Olusi, Lagos APC Chairman Cornelius Ojelabi and GAC member Mutiu Are was misinterpreted in some quarters as evidence of a political decision.
According to a party insider, the meeting referenced in the circulating photograph had no connection with any endorsement or succession arrangement, but centred on party and state matters requiring consultation with the President.
Efforts to obtain official confirmation from the party’s spokesperson, Seye Oladejo, were unsuccessful as calls to his line were not answered at the time of filing this report.
Another party stakeholder from Kosofe urged caution against drawing conclusions from unverified claims, stressing that consultations among leaders were ongoing and that no official position had been announced regarding any preferred candidate.
Observers within the party also emphasised the need for restraint among supporters, noting that premature speculation could create unnecessary tension within the ranks ahead of future political processes.
Already, there has been disquiet among members of the Mandate Group arm who feel their Justice counterpart were too imposing and bent on grabbing all available political offices.